No-fly list: Centre announces draft rules for unruly passengers

The Central Government on 5 May announced a draft rule for a 'no-fly list' for unruly passengers in the aftermath of the debacle surrounding Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who assaulted an Air India staffer onboard a plane. 

The No-Fly List includes suspension for three months to two years or more as a punishment.

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju during a press conference said that instances of unruly behaviour have been mentioned into 3 categories.

Secretary Civil aviation RN Choubey further explained that Level 1 will be disruptive behaviour like physical gesture etc, Level 2 will be physically abusive behaviour like pushing, kicking, sexual harassment etc and level 3 for life-threatening behaviour.

Punishment of suspension for unruly behaviour applies to domestic carriers and if international carriers want this input, they can also use it, said RN Choubey Secretary Civil Aviation.

He added Punishment for unruly behaviour into 3 categories is as follows, the 1st category is 3 months, level 2- 6 months, level 3 - 2 yrs or more. This is the corresponding suspension of for unruly behaviour. The airline can ban the passenger from flying immediately, but the passenger won’t be listed in the national no-fly list immediately.

"If any incident will happen, then, the Airline can immediately ban the passenger. After which the process will be completed in the next ten days," Minister of state of civil aviation Jayant Sinha said.

The draft was made public by Aviation Minister Ashok G. Raju and his Deputy Jayant Sinha.

The draft will give about a month for the public to comment. The aviation ministry will then take some time to study them and come out with the final CAR.

As per the IATA, in 2015, there were 10,854 reported cases of unruly behaviour by the passengers across airlines worldwide, which translate into one incident for every 1,205 flights.

The no-fly list has been amended by Air India from the day Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad hit 62-year-old staffer R. Sukumar with his slipper.

- - With ANI inputs